House of Representatives Committees

Preliminary Pages

Foreword

Language work is close to the heart of many Indigenous
Australians. The important role that Indigenous languages play in terms of a
connection to culture, kinship, land and family was highlighted during the
Committee’s inquiry, as was the devastation to communities that results when
language is lost. Indigenous languages are the foundation upon which the
capacity to learn, interact and to shape identity is built.

The dedication and passion of people involved in Indigenous
languages projects in urban, regional and remote locations was impressive. The
Committee found there is outstanding work being undertaken across the country
to maintain and revive Indigenous languages, for example:

nthe Miromaa Aboriginal
Language and Technology Centre has developed the Miromaa computer program, a
database that enables the gathering, organising, analysis and production of
language materials to aid in language education and training

nthe Papulu Appar-kari
Language Corporation, based in Tenant Creek, supports 16 language groups in the
Barkley Region through a range of activities and resources

nthe Mabu Yawaru Ngan-ga
language centre supports the teaching of the Yawaru language in schools in the
Broome area

nthe Mirima Dawang
Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre runs a master-apprentice scheme for
the learning of the Mirrawoong language in the Kununurra region

nthe Gidarjil Corporation is
producing booklets and teaching Dharambal language and culture to children in
schools across central Queensland, and

nthe Many Rivers Aboriginal
Language Centre has developed dictionaries for about seven Indigenous languages
in New South Wales.

The Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia in 1992
recognised the occupancy of the Indigenous peoples and their ongoing connection
to the land. This report builds on this connection to land and recognises and
celebrates the languages of Australia’s Indigenous peoples who have lived in
this land for over tens of thousands of years.

The Committee has made 30 recommendations in this report in
key areas such as:

nincorporating an
acknowledgement and focus of Indigenous languages into the Closing the Gap
framework

nexpanding the Indigenous
Languages Support program and prioritising the development of language nests

nestablishing a national
Indigenous interpreting service and putting in place immediate measures to
ensure competent interpreting services in the health and justice sectors

nsupporting Constitutional
change to include the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
languages

nresourcing bilingual school
education programs for Indigenous communities where the child’s first language
is an Indigenous language

ndeveloping strategies for
training Indigenous language teachers to ensure improved access to full
qualifications, accreditation and career pathways

ncompulsory English as an
Additional Language or Dialect training for all teaching degrees and mandatory
EAL/D and cultural awareness training for teacher working in Indigenous
communities, and

nimproving community access
to language materials through a dedicated Indigenous languages archive at
AIATSIS and the sharing of resources with schools and educational institutions.

The Committee received over 154 submissions and held 23
public hearings. I would like to express my thanks to those people who put much
time into their excellent contributions to submissions and during hearings.

I take this opportunity to thank the Deputy Chair, Sharman
Stone MP and all the members of the Committee for their work during the
inquiry.

To all Australians I say: take pride in the Indigenous
languages of our nation. Indigenous languages bring with them rich cultural
heritage, knowledge and a spiritual connection to the land – Our Land, Our
Languages.

Mr Shayne Neumann

Chair

Membership of the
Committee

Chair

Mr Shayne Neumann MP

Deputy
Chair

The Hon. Dr Sharman Stone MP

Members

Ms Sharon Grierson MP

Mrs Natasha Griggs MP

Mr Barry Haase MP

Mr Ed Husic MP

Mr Graham Perrett MP

Committee Secretariat

Secretary

Dr Anna Dacre

Inquiry
Secretary

Ms Susan Cardell
Ms Rebecca Gordon

Research
Officers

Dr John White

Administrative
Officers

Mrs Rebeka Mills

Terms of reference

The Committee will inquire into and report on Indigenous
languages in Australia, with a particular focus on:

The benefits of giving attention and recognition to Indigenous
languages

The contribution of Indigenous languages to Closing the Gap and
strengthening Indigenous identity and culture

The potential benefits of including Indigenous languages in early
education

Measures to improve education outcomes in those Indigenous
communities where English is a second Language

The educational and vocational benefits of ensuring English
language competency amongst Indigenous communities

Department
of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

FATSILC

Federation
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages and Culture

HIPPY

Home
Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters

IAAC

Indigenous
Advisory Affairs Council

ICTV

Indigenous
Community Television

IEOs

Indigenous
Engagement Officers

IRCA

Indigenous
Remote Communications Association

ILS

Indigenous
Languages Support

KIS

Kimberley
Interpreting Services

KLRC

Kimberley
Language Resource Centre

LOTE

Languages
Other Than English

MALCC

Muurrbay
Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative

MCEETYA

Ministerial
Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs

MILR

Maintenance
of Indigenous Languages and Records

MRALC

Many
Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre

NAAJA

North
Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

NAATI

National
Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

NALP

National
Aboriginal Languages Project

NAPLAN

National
Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy

NATSISS

National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Social Survey

NBN

National Broadband Network

NILS

National Indigenous Languages Survey
Report 2005

NILS2

Second National Indigenous
Languages Survey

NIRA

National Indigenous Reform
Agreement

NIRS

National Indigenous Radio Service

NITV

National Indigenous Television

NT AIS

Northern Territory Aboriginal
Interpreter Service

NTCF

Northern Territory Curriculum
Framework

NT NP

Northern Territory National
Partnership Agreement

OFTA

Office for the Arts

PBI

Public Benevolent Institution

RATE

Remote Area Teacher Education

RNLD

Resource Network for Linguistic
Diversity

ROCO

Register of Cultural
Organisations

RSD NP

Remote Service Delivery National
Partnership

SACCS

South Australia Commission for
Catholic Schools

SAE

Standard
Australian English

SBS

Special Broadcasting Service

SCSEEC

Standing Council on School
Education and Early Childhood

TAC

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

TIS

Translating and Interpreting
Service

TSRA

Torres Strait Regional Authority

UNESCO

United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization

WA

Western Australia

VACL

Victorian Aboriginal Centre for
Languages

VET

Vocational
Education and Training

List of recommendations

2 The role of Indigenous languages

Recommendation 1 - Closing the Gap framework

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
include in the Closing the Gap framework acknowledgement of the fundamental
role and importance of Indigenous languages in preserving heritage and
improving outcomes for Indigenous peoples.

Recommendation 2 - Signage in Indigenous languages

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Government include
in the National Indigenous Languages Policy 2009 a commitment to support and
progress signage of place names and landmarks in local Indigenous languages.

Recommendation 3 – Parliamentary recognition of Indigenous
languages

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Parliament
demonstrate leadership in the recognition and valuing of Indigenous languages
by:

considering
how to incorporate Indigenous languages in the Parliament House building and in
the operations of the Parliament, and

encouraging
all Members of Parliament to:

Þbe
aware of and recognise the Indigenous language groups local to their electorate

Þwhere,
possible and appropriate, acknowledge traditional owners and utilise language
names for places and landmarks, and

Þsupport
schools and community groups in their area to recognise, value and where
possible utilise Indigenous language names.

3 Indigenous languages policy

Recommendation 4 - Languages policy action plan

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
review and make publically available by March 2013 an updated action plan with
clear goals, accountability and reporting requirements to implement its
National Indigenous Languages Policy. The Committee further recommends that
relevant Commonwealth Government agencies are required to report annually on
outcomes of the action plan.

Recommendation 5 - Increased funding for Indigenous Languages
Support

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
substantially increase ongoing funding for the Indigenous Languages Support
program in the 2013-14 Budget.

Recommendation 6 - Torres Strait Islander funding eligibility

The Committee recommends that the Minister for the Arts amend
the guidelines for the Indigenous Languages Support program to allow Torres
Strait Islander applications to be considered for funding.

Recommendation 7 - Deductible Gift Recipient eligibility

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
immediately amend the criteria for an organisation to be entered on the
Register of Cultural Organisations to include a provision for Indigenous
language-related projects to be endorsed as a Deductable Gift Recipient by the
Australian Taxation Office.

Recommendation 8 - Constitutional recognition of Indigenous
languages

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
support Constitutional changes to include the recognition of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander languages, as recommended by the Expert Panel on
Constitutional Recognition for Indigenous Australians.

Recommendation 9 - United Nations declaration implementation
plan

The Committee recommends that by March 2013 the Commonwealth
Government develop and announce an implementation plan given its endorsement of
the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2009.

Recommendation 10 - Convention ratification review

The Committee recommends that, given Australia has not yet
ratified the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,
the Commonwealth Government conduct a review of the potential benefits and
implications of its ratification.

4 Learning Indigenous languages and Standard Australian
English

Recommendation 11 - Indigenous language learning in school

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Government
coordinate with the states and territories to announce dates for the
implementation of Phase 2 of the Australian Curriculum.

Recommendation 12 – Language Nests

The Committee recommends that the Office for the Arts, through
the Indigenous Languages Support (ILS) program, prioritise funding for Language
Nest programs throughout Australia.

The Committee further recommends that the Commonwealth
Government give consideration to establishing Language Nest programs in early
childhood learning centres and preschools as set up under National Partnership
Agreements.

Recommendation 13 - First language assessment

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood to develop
protocols for mandatory first-language assessment of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander children entering early childhood education.

Recommendation 14 – Bilingual education programs

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government work
with state and territory governments to provide adequately resourced bilingual
school education programs for Indigenous communities from the earliest years of
learning, where the child’s first language is an Indigenous language
(traditional or contact).

Recommendation 15 – NAPLAN alternative assessment tool

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood to develop
a National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) alternative
assessment tool for all students learning English as an Additional
Language/Dialect.

5 Teaching Indigenous languages

Recommendation 16 - Limited authority to teach

The Committee recommends the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood and
teacher training authorities to develop a national framework of flexible and
accessible training for Indigenous people to gain limited authority
qualifications to teach.

Recommendation 17 - Indigenous language teacher training

The Committee recommends the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood to develop
incentives for teacher training institutions to offer Indigenous language
teacher training, such as a limited authority qualification to teach.

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood to develop
strategies for training Indigenous language teachers to improve access to
qualifications, full accreditation and career pathways as well as providing
school support and mentorship where required.

Recommendation 19 – Master-apprentice schemes

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Education work
through the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood to give
consideration to establishing master-apprentice schemes in schools to provide
in-service support for Indigenous language teachers.

Recommendation 20 - Sharing language teaching resources

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government
amend the Indigenous Language Support (ILS) program funding criteria to ensure
that language materials produced with ILS program support should, where
practical and culturally appropriate, be available to be shared with schools
and educational institutions as a teaching resource, with proper acknowledgment
of its creators.

Recommendation 21 - Compulsory EAL/D training for teaching
degrees

The Committee recommends the Minister for Education take to
the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) a proposal to include a compulsory
component of English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) training for
all teaching degrees.

Recommendation 22 – In-service EAL/D and cultural awareness
training

The Committee recommends the Minister for Education take to
the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) a proposal that all teachers
already working in schools in Indigenous communities be required to complete
in-service EAL/D and cultural awareness training as part of mandatory
professional development.

6 Interpreting and translating Indigenous languages

Recommendation 23 - Protocol on the use of Indigenous
interpreting services

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs expedite the release of a
protocol on the use of Indigenous interpreting services for all Commonwealth
Government agencies.

The Committee further recommends that the Commonwealth
Government raise at Council of Australian Governments (COAG) the need for all
states and territories to have similar protocols and ensure the use of
competent interpreters when required.

Recommendation 24 - National Indigenous Interpreter Service

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government, in
partnership with the states and territories, establish a national Indigenous
interpreter service that is suitably resourced to service urban, regional and
remote Australia.

Recommendation 25 –Interpreting in health and justice sectors

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government put
in place immediate measures to ensure access to Indigenous interpreting
services in the health and justice sectors, while a competent and comprehensive
interpreting service is being developed.

Recommendation 26 - Interpreter training

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Government, as part
of developing the national framework for the effective supply and use of
competent Indigenous language interpreters and translators, allocate resourcing
to provide Indigenous interpreters with accessible training to achieve
paraprofessional and professional levels.

Recommendation 27 - Accreditation funding

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Government, in
partnership with the state and territory governments, ensure dedicated and
ongoing funding to the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and
Interpreters (NAATI) for Indigenous language interpreter accreditation to
paraprofessional and professional level.

7 Preserving languages for future generations

Recommendation 28 – Dedicated Indigenous language archive

The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government include
in the 2013-14 Budget increased resources for the Australian Institute of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies to carry out the storage and
digitisation of Indigenous language materials.

Recommendation 29 – AIATSIS research funding

The Committee recommends the Commonwealth Government consult
with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
to determine an appropriate and sustainable funding model in order for it to
recommence its research grants program in the 2013-14 Budget.

Recommendation 30 – Archiving of ILS language material

The Committee recommends that the Indigenous Languages Support
(ILS) program funding guidelines be amended to include a stipulation that a
copy of any language materials developed by ILS funding recipients must be
deposited with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Studies’ Library or Audio-Visual Archive.